Imec opens €2.5B chip pilot line—Europe aims to boost AI position

Belgian research center imec has opened a new semiconductor pilot line with a total investment of 2.5 billion euros. The goal is to strengthen Europe's position in the global semiconductor and AI competition, reports Reuters. The facility, named NanoIC, is part of the European strategy under the EU Chips Act. It is designed to enable companies and research institutions to develop and test advanced chip technologies under near-industrial conditions before moving into costly mass production. The focus is particularly on technologies beyond the 2-nanometer generation, which are central for AI applications